Tips for Writing Mysteries

Tips for Writing Mysteries. Here’s a helpful post, “Four tips for building a successful mystery,” if you are into writing mysteries. Check out the post by Jan Fields, freelance author and Institute of Children’s Literature instructor. She lists four tips: (1) Ask the question, (2) Brainstorm answers, (3) Choose the possible answers that could work well together, and (4) Decide the turning point. Visit the website for detailed tips.

Here’s the rest of the four-part series on the blog, Picture Book Builders. This time, an editor was interviewed for this post. He is Neal Porter, founder of Neal Porter Books. One of the questions asked:  What’s the hardest thing about the picture book to get right? Part of his answer: From an editor’s perspective? Getting the elements to work in sync. The words, yes, but making sure the illustrations also advance the story. Read the entire article for more answers.

I’ve never written a mystery, but maybe it’s time to get out of my comfort zone and try it. I never thought I could write poetry, but once I dabbled in it, I got published. Who knew?

Great is the art of beginning, but greater the art is of ending.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow